John Emmerling wrote:
Some general observations (I make some assertions without proof, feel free
to provide contradictory data):
1.) Compared to other western countries, Americans are significantly more
religious. Religious folk seem to see life's problems as being between
themselves and God, and don't have much use for the government. BTW I don't
mean this as a criticism.
I don't think it's rational to view life through a "God" lens, or make
decisions based on religious beliefs. The middle east is what you may get.
2.) The US has always embraced small town and rural culture and disdained
urban life.
I don't agree.
Rural and small-town people typically depend on themselves,
their family, and their neighbors for survival, and don't have much use for
the government.
The rural areas of Europe do this to a far greater degree than here.
In other western countries, the urban elite seem to have
more influence, and they look down on country folk as backward. And urban
existence, with its dependence on a complex infrastructure, depends heavily
on having an effective government (go visit Mogadishu if you don't believe
me).
I believe this is more true here.
3.) Americans have come to expect government initiatives to fail. They
consider a career working for the government (except in the areas of law
enforcement and national security) as a refuge for the incompetent. Largely
a self-fulfilling prophecy.
The radical right has worked for years to make people believe this. But
it doesn't have to be that way.
*************************************************************************
** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy **
** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ **
*************************************************************************
